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e himself at present to assist me； but he sent a countryman who； he is of opinion； will be of equal utility； at least for a time。 I yesterday despatched him to the low parts of Madrid； or as they are styled； LOS BARRIOS BAJOS； he succeeded in disposing of twelve Testaments； amongst the very poor people； in a few hours。 My other horse is at Salamanca； in Old Castile； but he suffered so much during my late expeditions； that it will hardly answer my purpose to send for him。
In passing through La Mancha we stayed for four hours at Manzanares； a large village which I hope to visit again shortly。 I was standing in the market…place conversing with a curate； when a frightful ragged object presented itself； it was a girl about eighteen or nineteen； perfectly blind； a white film being spread over her huge staring eyes； her countenance was as yellow as that of a mulatto。 I thought at first that she was a Gypsy； and addressing myself to her； enquired in Gitano if she were of that race。 She understood me； but shaking her head replied； that she was something better than a Gitana； and could speak something better than that jargon of witches； whereupon she commenced asking me several questions in exceeding good Latin。 I was of course very much surprised； but summoning all my Latinity； I called her Manchegan prophetess； and expressing my admiration at her learning begged to be informed by what means she became possessed of it。 I must here observe that a crowd instantly gathered around us who； though they understood not one word of our discourse； at every sentence of the girl shouted applause； proud in possession of a prophetess who could answer the Englishman。 She informed me that she was born blind； and that a Jesuit priest had taken compassion on her when she was a child； and had taught her the 'holy language；' in order that the attention and hearts of Christians might be more easily turned towards her。 I soon discovered that he had taught her something more than Latin； for upon telling her that I was an Englishman； she said that she had always loved Britain which was once the nursery of saints and sages … for example； Bede and Alcuin； Colombus ＇SIC＇ and Thomas of Canterbury； but she added； those times had gone by since the re…appearance of Semiramis （Elizabeth）。 Her Latin was truly excellent； and when I； like a genuine Goth； spoke of Anglia and Terra Vandalica （Andalusia）； she corrected me by saying that in her language those places were called Britannia； and Terra Betica。 When we had finished our discourse； a gathering was made for the prophetess； the very poorest contributing something。 What wonderful people are the Jesuits！ When shall we hear of an English rector instructing a beggar girl in the language of Cicero？
Ever yours；
G。 B。
LETTER： 15th February； 1839
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram （ENDORSED： recd。 Feby。 25； 1839） MADRID； 16 CALLE SANTIAGO； 15 FEBRY。 1839。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … In my last communication I stated that I had got everything in readiness to commence operations in the neighbourhood of Madrid； and indeed since that period I have entered upon my labours in reality； though unforeseen circumstances produced an unavoidable delay of several days。 It is with feelings of gratitude to the Almighty that I now state that considerable success has attended my feeble efforts in the good cause。 All the villages within the distance of four leagues to the east of Madrid have been visited； and Testaments to the number of nearly two hundred have been disposed of。 It will be here necessary for me to inform you that these villages； for the most part； are very small； some of them consisting of not more than a dozen houses； or I should rather say miserable cabins。 I left my servant Antonio to superintend matters in Madrid； and proceeded with Vitoriano； the peasant from Villa Seca； in the direction which I have already mentioned。 We however soon parted company； and pursued different routes。 The first village at which I made an attempt was Cobenna； about three leagues from Madrid。 I was dressed in the fashion of the peasants of the neighbourhood of Segovia in Old Castile； namely； I had on my head a species of leather helmet； or MONTERA； with a jacket and trowsers of the same material。 I had the appearance of a person between sixty and seventy years of age； and drove before me a BURRICO； with a sack of Testaments lying across its back。 On nearing the village I met a genteel…looking young woman leading a little boy by the hand。 As I was about to pass her with the customary salutation of 'VAYA USTED CON DIOS；' she stopped； and after looking at me for a moment she said； 'Uncle （TIO）； what is that you have on your BURRICO？ Is it soap？' I replied； 'Yes； it is soap to wash souls clean。' She demanded what I meant； whereupon I told her that I carried cheap and godly books for sale。 On her requesting to see one； I produced a copy from my pocket； and handed it to her。 She instantly commenced reading it with a loud voice； and continued so for at least ten minutes； occasionally exclaiming； 'QUE LECTURA TAN BONITA； QUE LECTURA TAN LINDA！' （'What beautiful； what charming reading！'） At last； on my informing her that I was in a hurry and could not wait any longer； she said； 'True； true；' and asked me the price of the book。 I told her 'But three REALS'； whereupon she said that though what I asked was very little； it was more than she could afford to give； as there was little or no money in those parts。 I said I was sorry for it； but that I could not dispose of the book for less than I had demanded； and accordingly resuming it； wished her farewell and left her。 I had not； however； proceeded thirty yards； when the boy came running behind me； shouting out of breath： 'Stop； uncle！ the book； the book。' Upon overtaking me he delivered me the three REALS in copper； and seizing the Testament； ran back to her； who I suppose was his sister； flourishing the book over his head with great glee。
On arriving at the village I directed my steps to a house around the door of which I saw several persons gathered； chiefly women。 On my displaying my books their curiosity was instantly aroused； and every person had speedily one in his hand； many reading aloud。 However； after waiting nearly an hour I had disposed of but one copy； all complaining bitterly of the distress of the times and the almost total want of money； though at the same time they acknowledged that the books were wonderfully cheap and appeared to be very good and Christian…like。 I was about to gather up my merchandise and depart； when on a sudden the curate of the place made his appearance。 After having examined the books for some time with considerable attention； he asked me the price of a copy； and upon my informing him that it was three REALS； he replied that the binding was worth more； and that he was much afraid that I had stolen the books； and that it was perhaps his duty to send me to prison as a suspicious character。 He added however that the books were good books； however they might be obtained； and concluded by purchasing and paying for two copie